Holiday Fire Safety Tips 

Each year,  fires occurring during the holiday season injure up to 2,000 individuals and cause over $500 million dollars in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

How To Prevent Christmas Tree Fires:

When selecting a Christmas tree, make sure the needles are green and hard to pull back from the branches. The needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The tree trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long which means the tree is dried out and is a fire hazard. Do not place your tree close to a heat source including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service. If you are going to use an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Holiday Lights:

Before putting up holiday lights do a safety Inspection for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory. Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strands of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires -- they should not be warm to the touch.

Holiday Decoration Safety: 

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant,  and placed away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace, it can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home and cause an explosion.

Holiday Candles:

If you do light candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning. Never put lit candles on a tree. Do not go near a holiday tree with open flame-candles, lighters or matches.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home. Test the detectors monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.